Republic of Open Threads: December 7th Basketball

Yesterday

Iowa State Cyclones 81, Purdue Boilermakers 58

BoilerUp89: Purdue played poorly on offense in the first half, missing open threes and watching TKR miss bunnies. But they were down just four because they were forcing turnovers. Then the second half started, ISU stopped turning it over and started making all their shots while Purdue rolled over to play dead. Really disappointing effort from Purdue. They weren't winning because Iowa State was shooting amazing and the Boilers were missing everything, but the lack of effort when the shots weren't falling was pretty inexcusable.

HoustonBoiler: To add a little detail to what BU89 already said, Purdue made 4 of 18 3-pointers (22%), 24 of 59 field goals (41%), and 6 of 14 free throws (43%). Just an all-around terrible shooting day for Purdue. TKR made 1 of 8 shots. Fletcher Loyer only made 1 of 5 3-point attempts while both Gicarri Harris and Omer Mayer went 0 for 3 in 3-point attempts.

But bad shooting days happen, so you need to play better in other areas. Purdue had one more rebound (33-32) and 3 more turnovers (15-12) than Iowa State. Coach Painter summed it up well, "You’ve got to give Iowa State credit. Our reason for having a high frustration level was them. They were damn good. They took us to the woodshed."

Will Purdue learn from being taken to the woodshed? Certainly this game provides the coaching staff with many "teachable" moments.

Duke Blue Devils 66(6?), Michigan State Spartans 60

MaximumSam: It pains me to say that I'm impressed with Duke. They play like one senior and superfrosh Cam Boozer shook off a slow first half to finish with 18. For Sparty's part, Jeremy Fears was great making plays and trolling Duke all game, but he also went 0-10 from the field, which ain't gonna get it done.

Louisville Cardinals 87, Indiana Hoosiers 78

MaximumSam: The Hoosiers went down 16-0 to start the game and then could never really chase their way back in it.

THE Ohio State Buckeyes 86, Northwestern Wildcats 82

MaximumSam: The Detective stared in disbelief. Lucasville, Ohio was a tiny town only known for one thing, a maximum security prison. A prison full of some of the most evil minds he had ever encountered. He looked down at the scorecard - Brandon Noel had 29 points and 7 rebounds. His hometown was listed as...Lucasville? Someone, or something, had escaped.

PerpetuallyAggrievedWildcat: These 'Cats lack the defensive juice and ball-handling smarts of past Collins squads that found a way to the Dance. Something called Brandon Noel came up with the goods at the right time, and Northwestern just didn't have it down the stretch. Oh well.

Wisconsin Badgers 96, Marquette Golden Eagles 76

MaximumSam: Marquette isn't any good but we'll take any nonconference victory we can get.

Michigan Wolverines 456,898, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 12

BoilerUp89: Dead body.

Iowa Hawkeyes 83, Maryland Terrapins 64

BoilerUp89: Dead body.

Washington Huskies 84, USC Trojans 76

MaximumSam: Former Trojans Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates combines for 38 while Hannes "The German Suplex" Steinbach had 24 with 16 rebounds and the Huskies grabbed this game at the end after losing almost the whole way.

UCLA Bruins 74, Oregon Ducks 63

Illinois Fighting Illini 75, Tennessee Volunteers 62

Today

#37 Creighton Bluejays (5-3) at #41 Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-0)

5 pm, FS1

HoustonBoiler: Will Nebrasketball's winning streak continue?

MaximumSam: Runzas will drop from the ceiling at the end of this game - they call it midwest confetti.